Poppies On Parade

This is Remembrance Day here in Canada.  On the eleventh month, the eleventh day and at the eleventh hour, we observe a minute of silence to remember all those who fought in the wars.  Respecting their effort and sacrifice is important to us and I hope that never changes.  We also wear red poppies this time of year as a symbol of that respect.

This year the Legion presented a virtual Poppy Drop on the Peace Tower and Center Block of our  Parliament Building.  117000 poppies are in the display each representing one of Canada's fallen.





I love poppies.  They are a colourful hardy perennial in any garden.  A couple years ago I bought a poppy scarf and the poppy drop earrings at the War Museum gift shop.  Here's a photo of them.

I've enjoyed wearing both lately.


And here is what I think are poppies, the way only William Morris would render them anyway, among floating leaves and tendrils.    






And a bit of truth in layers in poetry.  This is so true especially of some of the delicate wild flowers. I have tried to include them in a bouquet but they will droop almost immediately upon picking.  


But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed.

• Robert Burns, Tam o' Shanter (1790).

Hope your weekend is full of pleasing things.